FRANKFURT/MILAN (Reuters) -- Audi plans to announce the acquisition of Ducati next week, having completed a due diligence assessment of the Italian motorcycle maker, two people familiar with the matter said.
Audi encountered no major stumbling blocks when checking Ducati's books, the people said today. The purchase could be announced as early as April 18, the day before VW's annual shareholders' meeting in Hamburg.
One of the sources said that Ducati's main shareholder, Italian buyout firm Investindustrial, agreed to talk with Audi exclusively.
Volkswagen, Audi and Investindustrial declined to comment.
A successful deal would fuel Audi's long-standing rivalry with BMW in superbikes, and add expertise in high-revving light engines to VW's engineering portfolio, which ranges from cars and heavy trucks to ship engines.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera also reported today that an accord between Ducati and Audi was expected to be signed next week, citing no sources.
The paper noted that Audi had the right to negotiate exclusively until April 15, after which Investindustrial was free to talk to other potential buyers.
In 2005, Audi tried to buy Ducati from former owner Texas Pacific Group but was trumped by rival bidder Investindustrial, Corriere della Sera added.
Ducati was founded in 1926, and over the past 60 years it scored 17 manufacturer's World Championship titles, most recently winning the 2011 World Superbike Championship title.
Investindustrial's chairman Andrea Bonomi told The Financial Times in February the firm was looking to sell Ducati.
Last month the paper cited sources as saying the price could be about 850 million euros ($1.1 billion) including 800 million in acquired debt.
Showing posts with label Audi News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Audi News. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
2012 CES: Audi’s Super Head-Up Display
Atop the mocked-up dashboard sit three head-up projectors and a reflector screen (in a real car, the windshield serves as that screen). The driver’s display is not visible from the passenger side, and vice versa. A center display is shared and functions much like the infotainment screen in current Audis.
The driver’s display works a lot like the HUDs found in certain GM and BMW products, but with a twist. Instead of showing an image that appears about eight feet in front of the car as in current systems (and as in the other two on two views on this Audi’s demonstration), images are projected between 35 and 100 feet in front of the car. This means that navigation information such as direction arrows are overlaid directly onto the street. Or, like when we saw an arrow on passers-by in the Audi booth, information could end up overlaid on the car in front of you. Still, the large display and far-away focal distance are a big improvement compared to current HUD systems.
Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2012-ces-audi%E2%80%99s-super-head-up-display/
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Audi Powers Onward With Clean-Diesel Lineup For U.S. Buyers
During a lengthy teleconference yesterday, Audi confirmed that it would add TDI clean-diesel models to every car it offers in the U.S. market by 2015.
Audi has frequently touted the strong sales of its two current TDI models, the 2011 Audi Q7 TDI large sport utility vehicle and the compact (but aging) Audi A3 TDI hatchback.
The A3 TDI is by far the more affordable of Audi's first U.S. diesels, and the company scored a coup when it was named Green Car of the Year for 2010, its first year on sale.
But neither the A3 nor the Q7 is a high-volume model for Audi, so the high diesel sales percentage only adds up to small numbers. In 2009, for instance, Audi sold 5,200 clean diesels here, or just 6.3 percent of its total sales of 82,716. Last year, it sold roughly 3,480 A3 TDI models out of a total of 101,629 sales, and a like number of Q7 TDIs.
Audi's best-selling model in the States, the midsize A4 sports sedan, will get a TDI option when it's next redesigned. That model, which managed 53 mpg on the European test cycle, will likely be launched in 2014 or so.
Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1056518_audi-powers-onward-with-clean-diesel-lineup-for-u-s-buyers
Friday, January 21, 2011
Due To Record Sales, BMW and Audi to Expand Factories This Year
Volkswagen AG’s Audi is aiming to overthrown BMW as the world’s bigger maker of premium vehicles by 2015, and plans to increase production for cars and SUV to more than the 1.15 million produced in 2010.
BMW and Mercedes have similar plants with increased production at the Leipzig and respectively Stuttgart plant.
“The top three are poised for further growth,” said Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Bankhaus Metzler who recommends buying VW, Daimler and BMW shares. “The momentum in luxury markets will continue this year and also in 2012. It’s a necessity for manufacturers to take steps to address this.”
The increase in automobiles sales is a direct link to the expanding Chinese market which became one of the two largest auto markets in the world. United States continues to remain the largest one. Audi plans to spend 11.6 billion euros ($15.7 billion) through 2015 on plants and new models. BMW has spent 1.5 billion euros alone on its German plants since 2009, while Daimler is building an 800 million-euro small-car plant in Hungary.
While BMW plans over 20 new models in the next five years, Audi said will roll out a total of 13 new models and upgraded vehicles this year.
The VW unit will spend more than 5 billion euros at two German factories in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, where the A6 will be built. Audi also said it will begin work this year to expand a factory in Gyor, Hungary, to increase capacity to 125,000 cars.
Read More: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/01/21/due-to-record-sales-bmw-and-audi-to-expand-factories-this-year/
Friday, November 19, 2010
Audi Establishes New Research Center For EV Development
Audi is one of the leaders in this field, previously announcing the establishment of the new e-tron sub-branding for electrified vehicles and then the formation of a partnership with China’s Tongji University to help with the research, instruction and services dealing with electromobility. Now the automaker has opened a physical center to group all the efforts of its electric vehicle development team, located at its Ingolstadt headquarters in Germany.
Approximately $100 million has been invested in the new building over the past two years. The 150,690 square-foot building houses numerous state-of-the-art test rigs, which can be used to test electric drive concepts.
Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1051434_audi-establishes-new-research-center-for-ev-development
Audi Dealers
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
2013 Audi Q3 and other Future Plans
A1 and A2
They're not confirmed for the United States just yet, but Audi has two new small cars worthy of a mention -- just in case we do get them.
Audi's Mini competitor, the A1, debuted at last March's Geneva Motor Show, and Audi already has plans to sell it everywhere but the States. Its crisp styling and fuel-efficient engine lineup present an alternative to those not smitten with the cutesy British hatch.
A 1.4-liter twin-charged (supercharged and turbocharged) four-cylinder engine -- which produces 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission -- will top a lineup of five engines.
European sales of the A1 started at the end of August, with global sales slated to begin next year. We'll have to wait until the 2015 debut of the second-generation A1, at the earliest.
The A2, which was a slow seller in its previous iteration, will be revived for the 2013 model year. It will ride on Volkswagen's upcoming New Small Family platform, the same as the Volkswagen Up!, and will initially be part of Audi's e-tron range with a lithium-ion battery pack and all-electric propulsion. More powertrain options, including a range of efficient three-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines and a yet-to-be-defined hybrid, will come later. It's reported that only the e-tron version, if any A2 models, will make find its way across the Atlantic after production commences in 2013.
A3
Despite several updates, the current A3 is beginning to get a little long in the tooth, and is due for a complete overhaul shortly. The next-generation A3, expected for the 2012 model year, will include a sedan version in addition to the four-door hatchback.
A4
Neither the current A4, introduced for the 2009 model year, nor the S4, introduced for 2010, are set for a freshening until the 2013 model year. In the meantime, Audi is considering adding a TDI model to the A4 lineup using the 3.0-liter, turbo-diesel V-6 from the Q7. Expect an RS4 model in a few years, likely with a twin-turbocharged V-6.
A5
Expect the A5 coupe and convertible, and their higher-performance S5 siblings, to be refreshed in 2012. Prior to the refresh, the RS5 coupe will arrive, powered by a version of the S5 coupe and R8's 4.2-liter V-8 that produces 450 horsepower. It uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and offers Audi's torque-vectoring rear differential. We can't wait to try one on this side of the pond sometime next summer.
A6
Audi updated its A6 for the 2009 model year, adding a 3.0-liter supercharged, direct-injected V-6 along with a few cosmetic changes. An all-new A6, riding on the just-introduced A7 platform, is due out next year. The engine lineup will be downsized in light of increasing fuel economy and emissions standard and will include a 2.0-liter, turbo four and the 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6.
A7
Previewed by the 2009 Sportback Concept, the A7 is Audi's attempt at a four-door coupe à la Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Rather than the coupe-like styling seen on the CLS, Audi opted to create more of a hatchback profile with a steeply raked roof. When it goes on sale next year, it will only be available with the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, at least at launch. S and RS versions are rumored and have been spotted undergoing testing in Europe.
A8
The A8 is brand-new for the 2011 model year and hits dealerships this November. It features clean, familial styling and a host of technology upgrades including an MMI system with a touchpad. Powertrains for the redesigned car include a 372-horsepower 4.2-liter V-8 and a 500-horsepower 6.3-liter W-12, both of which are coupled to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. As is required in this über-lux class, a long-wheelbase option will be available.
Q3
Audi's baby 'ute is going head-to-head with BMW's new X1. The upcoming crossover that looks to be based on Volkswagen's Tiguan, from spy photos, is destined for production next year, but won't come to our shores until 2013.
Q5
Audi's mid-size crossover is set for several updates this year. It just received Audi's 2.0-liter turbo four and new eight-speed automatic transmission, and later next year, a hybrid powertrain will also be added.
Q7
Last year, Audi refreshed the Q7's exterior and interior, but left the powertrain offerings untouched. This year, the only updates are in the form of engines and transmissions: The 4.2-liter V-8 and 3.6-liter V-6 have both been replaced by two takes on the 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6, offering 333 and 276 horsepower, respectively. The 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine will still be offered, and all of the engines are now coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
TT
Thanks to a successful Facebook petition, the TT RS is destined for the U.S. in the third-quarter of 2011. It uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter I-5 that produces 360 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, along with a six-speed manual transmission, to propel the car to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds. Unfortunately for open-top motorists, the convertible version will still be relegated to Europe, but at least we finally get the TT RS.
Other updates for the TT include a slight refresh next year along with a more potent 2.0-liter I-4 base engine. A full redesign is due in 2014.
R4
Audi unveiled its e-tron Detroit Show Car at the 2010 Detroit auto show to preview the upcoming R4. The R4 will be, in the spirit of the R8, a mid-engine sports car based on the Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster chassis. When it goes on sale, likely next year, it may feature the 200-horsepower version of the A4's 2.0-liter turbo four, while the uplevel option could hum the 265-horsepower tune of the TT S. An all-electric model may be in the works for production.
R8
The R8 5.2 Spyder will go on sale early next year in time for convertible season and will later be joined by a 4.2 version. Another recent addition was the performance-topping R8 GT.
An all-electric version of the R8, previewed by the two larger orange and red e-tron concepts, will go on sale in 2012 under the e-tron sub-brand. Production of the electric supercar will be limited to just 100 units.
Read More: http://blogs.automotive.com/6687340/miscellaneous/2013-audi-q3-and-other-future-plans/index.html
Audi Illinois
Thursday, August 19, 2010
International Autos Group
International Autos Group
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